Somethingtold me it was overWhen I saw you and her talkingSomething deep downin my soul said, 'Cry, girl'When I saw you and that girl walking aroundOh, I would rather go blind, boyThan to see you walk away from me,childYou see I love you so much that I don't want to watch you leave me,babyMost of all, I just don't want to be free, no

Etta James was the first one to record this classic 1969 tune originally written by Ellington Jordan. Following her footsteps were a wide variety such as Clarence Carter, Little Milton, Chicken Shack, Koko Taylor, Rod Stewart, B.B.King, Paul Weller, Ruby Turner, Sydney Youngblood, and most recently Beyoncé Knowles. Why does anyone keep 45s anymore? Cadet Chess Label. Chicago, IL. Hello. My name is Charissa Tolentino and I’m addicted to wax. The cure is simple. I dig often. So this is my first entry. You should realize that I’m not a good writer, but I am going to write about these little pieces of plastic with holes in them!

There are so many 45 treasures lost in history. For me, it’s like playing detective for music. From rares to common, I enjoy discovering all kinds. Young. Old. The history is just as important to me as the present and future. Knowing that the history of music has lasted this long makes me excited for tomorrow’s changes. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose my hearing. Thus, the title of this tune will serve as my theme on this blog “I’d Rather Go Blind”. I hope that my writing will project my passion for music. If you’re not open to listening, then don’t bother to read anything I write, as it will be a waste of your time. I’m happy to share what my ears experience with you all. It is already fulfilling within my personal life. I may not know everything about a record I find or own but I do know how to appreciate these things. In fact, I respect records like they are people and hope you might learn something new for yourselves, too.

The Uber Code E.P. is a little gem I ran into few years back. Now I can’t remember how I came across this record, but I’m pretty sure it had something to do with the packaging (it’s a tiny 80mm disc with screen shots of the original Nintendo Gameboy on it’s tiny, tiny, box cover). This is music for geeks and nerds who want to impress people with their weird and daring experimental music (this will not impress chicks), which means I kinda like it. In fact, if it was not a 20 minute long jam session filled with sounds culled from what appears to be every video game made in the 80’s, and Royale Space Force decided to condense their ideas into shorter tracks, this could be tweaked into something more… listenable. But no. These fuckers or fucker, I don’t know Royale Space Force like that, gotta be experimental. Why? Why you gotta do that? Do you know I can only sit through your E.P. when completely baked? Is that the point?

Any DJ that has played a public venue since 1998 has heard and knows every "suggestion" on this list all too well. This sign is genius, and should be mass-produced and posted next to every DJ booth in the world. In case the text in the photo is too small for your prescription to fathom, here's what you're missing:

THINGS TO NEVER ASK A DJ

PLAY SOMETHING GOOD... SOMETHING WE CAN DANCE TO

WOULD YOU PLAY SOMETHING WITH A "BEAT"

I DON'T KNOW WHO SINGS IT, AND I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THE SONG, BUT IT GOES LIKE THIS...

EVERYBODY WANTS TO HEAR IT!

EVERYBODY WILL DANCE IF YOU PLAY IT!

I CAN GET LAID IF YOU PLAY IT!

I WANT TO HEAR IT NEXT!

WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

THEY STILL MAKE VINYL???

HEY TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY, WILL YOU PLAY THIS _________

PLAY IT SOON, BECAUSE WE'RE LEAVING!

...And now, a news flash for the general public:

A DJ is not a walking iPod. A DJ is not a radio or video station that is contracted by record labels to play the same 20 songs all day. A DJ is not a subsidiary or partner company of Clear Channel or any of its affiliates. A DJ is a song selector; therefore, is not only hired for his technical skill, but also for his expertise in song selection. Venues that want their customers to have control of the music don't hire DJ's, they install jukeboxes. Do you go to a theater production and tell the actors how you want them to deliver their lines? Do you go out to eat and walk into the kitchen to tell the chef how to make your side dishes? Do you go in for surgery and tell the doctor how to perform your kidney transplant? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to realize and accept the fact that the world doesn't revolve around you and your spoiled-brat-"I want it how I want it and I want it now"-attitude.

Typically, a DJ is hired based on the style of music he plays and the general genre format he follows, which is why venues have "themed" nights. If you don't like the music or the DJ's theme, it's simple - LEAVE and go to another spot! If you're requesting songs that you can hear in regular rotation every hour on the radio, here's an even better idea: save your money and go sit in the car with the stereo on. In short, shut the fuck up, and let the DJ do the job that he's hired to do, which is to select and play music.

In the spirit of this entry, we have to post this song for the DJ's (click to download)...

DJ's: If you didn't get this Anacron single when it was released last spring, click the link above to download it for free. The next time someone approaches you with any of the inquiries from the list posted above, kindly send them on their way and drop this track as a special dedication - the first verse says it all: "I'm the DJ, bitch... and I know what I'm doin'!"

Peanut Gallery extended family members Basik and Reese One, known collectively as Bleu Collar, have got some certified California heat in the works right about now. These Californian cohorts have been setting the standards for creative but accessible hip hop music since the mid-1990's, and successfully laid the trackwork for a plethora of copycats that now thrive in the global rap scene. Their classic self-titled release was a testament to the true guard of the Los Angeles pseudo-underound artist: artistically boundless music with an anchor in modern appeal While many groups since have touched that realm, not many were able to fully encompass the chemistry and understanding shared between Basik and Reese One.

In a collaborative effort with west coast news outlet DubCNN, Bleu Collar finally returns to the forefront of L.A.'s creative hip hop underground with their newest EP release, "Training Camp"; which will soon be available for free download at http://www.dubcnn.com/.

Preview of Bleu Collar's latest single featuring Portishead HERE.Visit DubCNN.com to watch the new music video HERE.

At the turn of the century, Los Angeles trio THE NETHERWORLDS (Murs, Himself, and Anacron) crafted a critically acclaimed west coast classic with the album, "Pals". Setting a new standard in hip hop by merging the sound of California's underground with a mainstream appeal and likeability, the amalgamation of styles produced a vibe that has yet to be paralleled.

This rare and classic hip hop album has been re-isssued as a totally free internet release; download by clicking the photo below, or clicking here.

Stating his claim as an originator of multiple styles that have been duplicated and bastardized in today's twisted hip hop atmosphere, Anacron talks tough on the trendy and unimaginative mind set of todays up and coming hip hop "artists". Produced by J. Todd (Def Harmonic, Funk Dojo) and featuring ad-libs by Astrobwoy (Double A Battery, Fucc Yo Ded Homiez, Peanut Gallery L.A.), the song is an energetic and prickly commentary on the state of today's "hipster-hop" scene and those that perpetuate the cycle of following trends over the process of creating art.

Take a moment to view the unofficial music video for the new Anacron single, "Scene And Not Herd", as well. The music video is a collection of breakdancing footage shot of Anacron during his tour of Mexico throughout January 2009, showing the versatility and multiple levels of talent that he posseses as an artist.

Christophe Roberts is a visual artist and graphic designer, as well as an original member of the Windy City's branch of the Peanut Gallery Network. Inspired by his growth experiences in Chicago's hip hop underground, and cultured by an extended residency in Seattle; Christophe's outpouring of artistic expression is impressive, with works ranging from abstract to realist, and everything in between. Christophe remains currently focused on promotional exploits with groups such as Molotov Kartel and The Out Crowd, while maintaining business with a cutting edge boutique clothing design label, Cicada.

Get your personal MP3 player boogie going with this all new dance mix, courtesy of The Out Crowd's regular guest, DJ BRITISH KNIGHTS.

The one and only BK is an up and coming bi-coastal DJ and remixer/producer, capable of moving a crowd without succumbing to what's dictated as "hot", and even when touching upon whatever the current top 40 playlist may be, he's able to freak it in his own freakish manner.

Get your iPods ready, and download these two heaters from some of the West Coast Peanut Gallery's finest! Smooth and hard at the same time , imagine the classic Los Angeles underground feel and flavor that made the West's indy scene what it was in the early to mid 1990s... Flip it, refurbish it, and give it an updated new millenium gut, and you've got these Peanut Gallery Network burners...

RELATED.

PNTGLLRYNTWRK.

A world-wide coalition of musicians, artists, dancers, and creative leaders. Planted firmly in Los Angeles in 1993, with a satellite base established in Chicago in 1997, the Peanut Gallery Network has expanded to encompass and embrace numerous expressive souls worldwide. Pioneers of the modern renaissance that refuse to compromise true creativity and originality, welcome into the fold of the Peanut Gallery Network.